GRAMBLING – Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs has an interesting outlook on how to choose a starting quarterback from the Tigers’ three-man race.

Instead of Fobbs deciding, he’s leaving it up to his players.

Sound confusing? It’s not.

Grambling opened camp Friday with seniors D.J. Williams and Jonathan Williams and freshman Stephen Johnson sharing reps, and Fobbs expects it to stay that way until one player starts to separate himself from the pack.

At that point, Fobbs will have his guy.

“That’s up to them,” Fobbs said when asked on his timetable to pick a starter. “Of course, we can’t play three quarterbacks. In most cases you can’t play two. We’re going to get this thing narrowed down. We’re going to let them decide who’s the guy. It’s the guy that gets us down the field and gets us in the end zone.”

Depending on the day, it can be any of the three.

The competition dates back to 2013 when D.J. Williams began the season with his father, Doug, at the helm.

Doug Williams was fired two games into the season, and the rollercoaster ride started for D.J. Williams.

Emotionally charged up, D.J. Williams’ body took a hit when he suffered a concussion and missed two games.

In his place, Jonathan Williams accounted for seven touchdowns and led Grambling to its only win of the season over Mississippi Valley State. Jonathan Williams ended up starting the next two games, including the Bayou Classic.

Johnson entered the mix in the spring when he played mostly with the third team and looked impressive in the spring game, throwing for 308 yards while leading the Tigers to their only touchdown.

But now it’s back to square one with everyone on the same playing field.

“I’m expecting to compete, that’s all I can really say about,” Jonathan Williams said. “He just told us to come in everyday and compete. That’s all I really know.”

D.J. Williams didn’t give away too many details, either, but noted all three are comfortable in Fobbs’ spread offense that will distribute the ball evenly to wide receivers and running backs.

“We’re out here competing everyday,” D.J. Williams said. “We’re all pretty good friends but when we get out on the field, there’s no friends, it’s all business.”

Of the three, Jonathan Williams poses a different challenge for defenses with his ability to run the football. D.J. Williams and Johnson are more pocket passers.

Regardless of who wins the job, Fobbs is confident he’ll have the right player leading his offense when the season opens at the end of the month at Lamar.

“Basically, all of them have a really good grasp of the offense,” Fobbs said. “They understand where guys need to be.”